Samsung Hits Apple with Patent Counter Lawsuit

Samsung has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple claiming the iPhone and iPad step on technology it controls. The lawsuit came in response to Apple’s own filing alleging Samsung’s mobile devices infringe on iPhone and iPad-related patents.

According to Samsung, the iPhone and iPad cross the line and infringe on ten patents related to data transmission and wireless data communication. The company filed its claims with courts in Germany, Japan and South Korea.

Apple and Samsung duke it out in courtSamsung countersues Apple for patent infringement

Apple’s lawsuit against Samsung claims the company copied the look and feel of the iPhone with the Galaxy Tab tablet device, as well as the NExus S, Epic 4G and Galaxy S 4G smartphones, all of which are Android OS-based devices.

“Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface,” Apple said in its filing.

Samsung fired back in its filings against Apple by stating “Samsung is responding actively to the legal action taken against us in order to protect our intellectual property and to ensure our continued innovation and growth in the mobile communications business.”

The legal battle between the two companies has raised concerns about the status of their business relationship since Apple buys components from Samsung for devices like the iPhone and iPad.

Apple COO Tim Cook said, however, that the two companies are still on good terms. “We’re Samsung’s largest customer, and Samsung is a very valued component supplier to us,” he said during Apple’s second quarter earnings conference call. “Separately from this, we felt their mobile communication division had crossed the line.”